New in March at Francesca's

March at Francesca's Restaurants:
New wine, beer and spirits dinners, live music,
and supporting the community this month at Francesca's

While it may still be cold outside, Francesca's Restaurants are keeping things hot. There are plenty of exciting indoor events from wine and beer dinners to an exciting bourbon dinner and Eat and Earn programs to support the community. You may come into Francesca's feeling like a lion, but they'll be sure you go out like a lamb.

Buglioni Wine Dinner
March 1, 7 p.m. - Francesca's at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)
March 7, 7 p.m. - Francesca's by the River (200 S. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221)
March 8, 7 p.m. - Francesca's Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261)

This month, several Francesca's restaurants present wine dinners featuring the Italian wines of Buglioni Vineyards. Tickets are $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour featuring Crostini con Fegatini di Pollo con Ricotta e Pomodorini, crostini with chicken liver pate or with ricotta and sweet tomatoes. This is paired with "Il Vigliacco" Brut Rose. Following this is the first course, Gamberoni con Cannellini al Rosmarino, jumbo shrimp with cannellini beans and rosemary topped with arugula, paired with "Il Intruso" Bianco Veronese. The next course features Pappardelle con Funghi Selvatici e Polletto, handmade pappardelle with wild mushrooms ragu and charred chicken breast with Parmigiano. The Valpolicella Classico wine pairs perfectly with this course. Next is Costine di Bue Agli Aromi con Polenta Bianca, braised short ribs with herbs, au jus and creamy white corn polenta paired with "Il Bugiardo" Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC. The dinner ends with Degustazione di Formaggi con Frutta, a cheese tasting with fruit, nuts, sweet gorgonzola and pecorino grand cru. "L'Amarone" Amarone della Valpolicella is paired with this course.

Opolo Winemaker's Dinner
March 7, 7 p.m. - Francesca's Bellezza (75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525; 708-579-3500)
The Opolo Winemaker's Dinner at Francesca's Bellezza features wines from California's Opolo Vineyards. Tickets are $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The evening starts with Cicchetti, an assortment of small bites paired with Opolo Sparkling Wine. This is followed by Capesante e Arancia, pearl pasta with jumbo sea scallops and baby spinach in blood orange sauce paired with 2010 Roussanne. The next course is Papardelle con Anatra, papardelle pasta with a duck confit, vegetables, stewed tomatoes, oregano and parmesan cheese. Opolo's 2007 Grande Rouge is the perfect pairing for this course. The final course is Filetto con Polenta , pan-roasted beef tenderloin topped with mascarpone polenta and black cherry pepper reduction paired with 2010 Mountain Zinfandel.


Fork and Bottle Dinner at Francesca's Tavola
March 13, 7 p.m. - Francesca's Tavola (208 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; 847-394-3950)
Francesca's Tavola presents a Fork and Bottle Dinner Tuesday, March 13. This interactive dining experience and wine tasting is a more casual alternative to a wine dinner but still features delicious wines and food pairings. The event is $30 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The evening starts with a cooking demonstration from Chef de Cuisine Gabriel Arista. He will be making Gameri con Salsa Romesco, grilled prawns with romesco and citrus. This will be paired with Caymus Conundrum. The menu will also include Filetto di Maiale con Fagioli, grilled pork tenderloin with white beans and sweet roasted tomatoes, paired with Belle Glos Meomi Pinot Noir. Pesce con Cipolline e Finocchio, halibut with caramelized cipollini onion, roasted fennel and forest mushrooms, will also be featured at the dinner. This will be paired with Belle Glos Clarke & Telephone .

"Wines from Hall" Wine Dinner
March 15, 7 p.m. - Francesca's Vicinato (12960 S. La Grange Rd., Palos Park, IL 60464; 708-671-1600)
Francesca's Vicinato presents the "Wines from Hall" Wine Dinner, featuring wine selections from Napa Valley's Hall Winery. Guest speaker, Jason Horek, a representative of the winery, will be on-site to discuss the wines and their pairings with the meal. Tickets are $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The evening begins with Capesante con Purea di Finoccheitto, seared scallop with caramelized fennel and goat cheese puree, shaved fennel, shaved raw asparagus and ruby grapefruit. This is paired with Hall Sauvignon Blanc. The next course is Tonno al Pepe Nero, peppered Ahi tuna with tomato compote and rosemary, which pairs superbly with Hall "Darwin" Proprietary Red. Following this course is Anatra Arrosto con Gnocchetti, roasted duck breast with black pepper gnocchi, braised duck leg, forest mushrooms and ramps. This is paired with Hall Merlot. The fourth course is Filetto Grigliato con Fonduta di Patate, grilled filet with fonduta potato, caramelized Brussels sprouts, garlic and sage paired with Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening ends with Assortimento di Biscotti, an assortment of artisanal and homemade cookies, served with coffee.


Two Brothers Beer Dinner
March 22, 7 p.m. - Francesca's at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)
Francesca's at the Promenade's Winter Beer Dinner features beers from Two Brothers Brewing Company, located just west of Chicago in Warrenville. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
The meal starts with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette, which is paired with Two Brother's Ebel's Weiss, a German Hefeweizen. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello , lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. This makes an excellent partner for the Cane & Ebel red rye ale. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. This is paired with Resistance, an India Pale Ale. The final course features Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree paired with Two Brother's Northwind beer.

"Let them drink Bourbon" at Francesca's Forno
March 22, 8-10 p.m. - Francesca's Forno (1576 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184)
Francesca's Forno presents "Let them drink Bourbon," a dinner celebrating small batch bourbon. Special guest Fred Noe, great grandson of Jim Beam, will be on-site to speak about each of the bourbons and the tradition of small batch bourbon. Tickets to this event are $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The evening begins with Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon Jerky paired with Moonshine. This is followed by Pancetta Wrapped Striped Bass with spearmint and orange gremolata paired with Basil Hayden bourbon. The next course is Hazelnut Crusted Pork Cutlet with brown butter and sage paired with bourbon from Knob Creek. Following this is Espresso and Lardo Roasted Rack of Pork with bacon braised collard greens. This is paired with Bookers bourbon. The final course is Chocolate and Bourbon Pecan Pie with bacon and burnt caramel gelato paired with bourbon from Bakers.


Brunch at Francesca's Restaurants
Everyone's favorite weekend meal, brunch, is coming to Francesca's restaurants. Several Francesca's in Chicago have added unique brunch menus available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 773-281-3310), the flagship restaurant of the Francesca's restaurant group, features a brunch menu including Italian breakfast favorites like Baked Uovo Florentina, soft baked egg, fontina chese and creamed spinach on ciabatta toast and white truffle oil ($9.99) or Frittata al Salsiccie, a fresh sage omelette with parmigiano regiano ($9.99). For those with a sweet tooth, Mia Francesca also offers delicious Pancakes al Ricotta, mocha ricotta pancakes with cinnamon whipped cream drizzled with honey ($8.99) or French Toast and Jam, French toast with vanilla bean butter, texas toast, red wine grape jam, mascarpone and almonds ($8.99). Diners also have the option to build their own omelette for $12.99. Mia Francesca also has superb brunch cocktails like the Good Morning Sunrise with apricot nectar, the Sea Breeze Mimosa with cranberry and pink grapefruit or the Zing Zang Bloody Mary, each for $5.00.


Francesca's Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-50 6-9261) also will start serving brunch this month. Their brunch menu also features many of the same Italian classics with a few items unique to Francesca's Bryn Mawr. Most notably Sweet Pancakes (blueberry and ricotta pancakes with blueberry-lemon compote) and Savory Pancakes (polenta and bacon on sweet corn pancakes with maple butter), each for $9.00

Francesca's Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184) is offering their unique take on brunch as well. Francesca's Forno offers impressive brunch cocktails like the Forno Bloody Mary (vodka, spicy tomato juice and a shot of beer), the St. Germaine Cocktail (St. Germain and Prosecco) and the Salty Dog, made with vodka, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and served in a glass with a salted rim, each for $6.00. The food options at Francesca's Forno during brunch hours are just as delicious and impressive. From simple Frutta e Granola, Milk & Honey Café granola with vanilla yogurt and fresh berries ($7.00), to decadent Bourbon-Soaked French Toast, challah with bourbon vanilla bean batter, maple crème fraiche and candied pecans ($9.00), or a classic Breakfast Monte Cristo , made with an English muffin, fontina, crispy pancetta and a fried egg with spicy tomato jam and hash browns ($10.00), there is an option for every palate at Francesca's Forno for brunch.

Zeppoles at DiSotto EnotecaDiSotto Enoteca (200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-482-8727) is now offering zeppoles. These light and doughy Italian doughnuts are similar to beignets, but they are also filled with chocolate. Zeppoles come six to a basket, which customers can purchase for $8.00 at DiSotto Enoteca.

National Ravioli Day
March 20 is one of Francesca's Restaurants' favorite holidays: National Ravioli Day. To celebrate, all Francesca's locations* are offering Ravioli con Spinaci for $8.99. There's no better place to celebrate one of the world's favorite pastas than Francesca's.
*except Francesca's Forno

Monday Night Supper Club at Francesca's Fortunato
Monday doesn't have to be something to dread. Instead, it can be a cause for celebration. Every Monday night, Francesca's Fortunato (40 Kansas St., Frankfort, IL 60423; 815-464-1890) hosts the Monday Night Supper Club. This special meal lets diners enjoy a delicious three course meal for $24.95. Enjoy the beginning of the week with Francesca's Fortunato.

Live Music at Francesca's
There are several opportunities to enjoy live music at Francesca's this month. At Francesca's on Chestnut (200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-482-8800), guests can experience the piano and vocal styles of Elizabeth Doyle every Wednesday and Thursday. A singer, pianist and composer, Elizabeth will accompany your dinner with musical selections from 1930s jazz pieces to current hits. Fridays and Saturdays, the Jim Guter Trio will perform jazz music with a big band flair. Comprised of a bassist, pianist and saxophonist from the Jim Guter Big Band, one of Chicago's exciting jazz groups, they play anything from jazz, big band, Latin and swing to current radio hits. The Jim Guter Trio will make your dining experience even more memorable.
Francesca's Bellezza (75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525; 708-579-3500) hosts the Jimmy Zito Trio 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Trio plays jazz standards from great artists like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Bobby Vinton. The Josh Miller Duo also will play at Francesca's Bellezza Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Francesca's Bellezza is hosting the launch party for the Marlene Rosenberg Duo's newest album 6:30 p.m. March 21. Featuring jazz bassist Marlene Rosenberg, the duo is a skilled jazz act. The launch party will feature a three course dinner for $25 and an appearance by the Marlene Rosenberg Duo. For more information about Marlene Rosenberg, visit www.marlenerosenberg.com.

Support your community by eating at Francesca's
You can support your community simply by eating at Francesca's. When you dine at any Francesca's restaurant during their Eat and Earn promotion, a portion of your bill is donated to a charitable organization in the community.
Wednesday, March 14, Francesca's Passaggio (3124 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600) is hosting an Eat and Earn program to benefit Windy City Warriors , the premier adapted sports group in DuPage County. The Warriors wheelchair basketball team and junior wheelchair softball teams are some of the best in the country. When diners mention Windy City Warriors while dining at Francesca's Passaggio , 20% of their bill will be donated to the organization to offset travel and tournament costs. For more information on the Windy City Warriors, visit www.wdrsa.org.
Tuesday, March 20, all Francesca's locations are participating in an Eat and Earn promotion to benefit Lambs Farm, a non-profit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities lead productive and happy lives. When people dine at Francesca's and either bring in the Eat and Earn flyer about the event or mention Lambs Farm, 15% of the bill will be donated to the organization. For more information on Lambs Farm, visit www.lambsfarm.org.
Charities interested in learning more about Francesca's Restaurants Eat and Earn restaurant should contact the manager of their local Francesca's.

New Daily SpecialsLa Sorella di Francesca (18 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540; 630-961-2706) and Francesca's Passaggio (3124 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600) are both introducing new daily specials. At La Sorella di Francesca , every Monday is time for the Monday Night Supper Club, which offers a three-course prix fix menu for $23.99 per person. Tuesdays, diners will receive 25% off any bottle of wine that is not featured by the glass, and Wednesdays, select beers are $4. House martinis are $5 on Thursdays, and on Fridays, appetizers are half price at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m.
At Francesca's Passaggio, Monday meals are 25% off for diners in the restaurant industry. Every Tuesday features a $24.99 prix fixe dinner and $10 off bottles of wine. All bottles of wine are half off on Wednesday, and martinis are $5 on Thursdays. The restaurant also offers half-off appetizers every Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the bar area only. Their popular Kids Eat Free program runs every Sunday.

About Francesca's Restaurants
The original Mia Francesca opened its doors in Chicago back in 1992, providing customers with delicious Italian fare, comfortable surroundings, and friendly service - a successful business model that allowed for the concept to quickly grow into a national brand.
Francesca's rotates their menu bi-weekly in order to offer fresh, seasonal ingredients of the highest quality for their rustic Italian dishes. Touted as casual dining in a sophisticated, trattoria ambiance, each individual Francesca's restaurant has become ingrained in their community and tailors both their menu and special events, such as exquisite wine dinners, to match the tastes and energy of their guests. The consistency is in the amazing food, great service and even better prices. For more information about Francesca's Restaurants, visit www.miafrancesca.com.